Mocked for cleaning litter, these two girls built a 'powerful' movement that’s changing their community.

When Manvi Rawat and Anshika Gaur began picking up litter from roadsides in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, their efforts were not welcomed by everyone. The two schoolgirls were mocked for cleaning up garbage themselves. But they continued, and what began as an effort by two students has grown into Pauri Eco Warriors, a student-led environmental group with more than 40 members.

As reported by The Better India, the girls started the initiative after seeing waste accumulate in public spaces. Plastic wrappers and other discarded material were often left along roadsides and near waterways. Instead of waiting for someone else to address the problem, they decided to take action themselves.Their initial efforts attracted criticism, but more students gradually joined them. The group now organises cleanup drives and other activities to encourage people to take responsibility for their surroundings.

From roadside cleanups to a community initiative

According to the official website of Pauri Eco Warriors, it is a community of environmental volunteers from Pauri Garhwal working to protect the region through conservation, education and community action.

The initiative began in 2020 with small cleanup drives and has since grown into a wider volunteer movement.

The team takes out river-cleanup drives, mountain reforestation, plastic-free campaigns, wildlife conservation, green school programmes and environmental awareness walks. Its stated mission is to protect the region's mountains, forests and rivers through community-led conservation and sustainable practices. The group also reports planting more than 10,000 trees, organising over 25 events and building a network of more than 500 volunteers.Its activities extend beyond collecting waste. The community also invites volunteers to participate in workshops, treks and conservation activities, giving students and other community members opportunities to learn through practical involvement.

Why the initiative matters for a hilly town like Pauri Garhwal

Pauri Garhwal's forests, rivers, roads and settlements are closely linked, making waste disposal an important environmental concern. Litter dumped in public areas can be washed into drains and waterways during rainfall, while plastic remains in the environment long after it is discarded. However, removing existing waste through cleanups is only part of the solution; preventing littering and encouraging responsible habits are equally important.Pauri Eco Warriors has expanded its efforts beyond cleanups by organising plantation drives, distributing saplings and conducting campaigns to raise awareness about environmental protection.

Taking environmental awareness beyond cleanup drives

One of the initiatives is Maulyaar, a community environmental festival. It brings together activities such as environmental runs, plantation drives, cleanups and awareness campaigns. The idea is to make environmental conservation a shared community activity rather than leave the responsibility to a small group of volunteers.The group has also added a Gen Z flavour to its environmental work, making conservation more engaging for young people. Through student-led activities, community events, environmental runs and interactive campaigns, it has tried to move beyond the idea of cleanups as routine work. The aim is to make protecting the environment something young people can participate in, enjoy and encourage their friends to join.Manvi and Anshika are the founders of the initiative. Their efforts do not replace the responsibility of local authorities to provide proper waste collection and disposal. But they show how young people can bring others together and make environmental concerns part of everyday community life.